Valved gas off-take



June 1, 1937. J. s. POTTER VALVED GAS OFFTAKE Filed Nov. 2, 1954 INVENTOR J0L 6. Po rfl? 6/ ATTORNEY Patented June 1, 1937 I UNITED STATES VALVE!) GAS OFF-TAKE Joel Sanford Potter, Valley Cottage, N. Y., as-,

signer to Wilputte Coke Oven Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Maine Application November 2, 1934, Serial No. 751,172

6 Claims.

The general object of the present invention is to provide improved means for intermittently interrupting gas flow through retort gas off-takes such as are employed in passing the distillation gases from the coking chambers of a by-product coke oven battery into the collecting main receiving the distillation gases from a multiplicity of coking chambers.

In the operation of a by-product coke oven, the

10 gas oil-take connection to the collecting main from each coking chamber must be continuously open during a period of from ten to twenty hours, or so, during which the contents'of the chamber are being coked, but must be closed to prevent the i5 influx of air into the main when the chamber is opened for the discharge of its coked contents. Because of the high temperatures of the gases passing through the off-takes and the deposit of distillation substances, which begin to condense out of the distillation gases while the temperatures of the latter are still very high, the cut- .off valve means employed are subjected to severe operating conditions, and the severity of those conditions is augmented by the fact that the gases at times carry with them more or less solid matter in the form of coal and carbon dust. In particular, with the modern practice of charging on the main, i. e. of passing into the collecting main the gases evolved in each coking chamber gqduring all or the final portion of the operation of filling the chamber with fresh coal to be coked, the distillation gases carry considerable coal dust out of the coking chambers. In the absence of special gas cooling provisions, material collecting on the valve and valve seat surfaces is converted into pitch by the heat of the gas, and then forms a coating especially objectionable and dimcult to remove when impregnated with coal or carbon dust.

To keep the valve seat and valve seat engaging surfaces of gas off-take cut-off valves clean, and to lower the temperature of the gas coming into contact with those surfaces, it has long been the practice to bathe the valve seat and cooperating valve surfaces with gas liquor during the periods in which the cut-off valves are open. To avoid the necessity for interrupting the flow of the valve bathing or wash liquor, at times when the off-take cut-off valve is closed, various proposals have been made for the use of a cut-off valve including from the seal trough or space into the collecting main.- All such arrangements heretofore proposed, of which I have knowledge, are more or less unsatisfactory from the practical standpoint for one reason or another.

In general each of the previously proposed liquid seal cut-off valve arrangements is open to one. or more of the following objections, namely, alack of mechanical simplicity and effectiveness, the liquid holding capacity of the trough or space holding the liquid forming seal is too small, the valve and valve seat surfaces which should be kept clean are inadequately washed when the offtake is open for gas flow, and the trough or space holding the seal forming liquid tends to fill up with non-fluid material witha resultant clogging of the liquid flow through the seal when the gas flow through the off-take is interrupted. In byproduct coke ovens the volume of wash liquor discharged into each oif-take is ordinarily ten-or more gallons per minute. seal in the closed condition of the valve is a very serious matter, since with the considerable volume of wash liquor discharged, but little time is required for the wash liquor to accumulate above the clogged seal to a level at which overflow of the wash liquor into the retort will occur. The impingement against the hot brickwork retort walls of any appreciable quantity of Wash liquor is highly destructive to those walls.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide a retort gas off-take liquid seal valve arrangement free from each of the above mentioned objections to prior arrangements. My invention is primarily characterized by its inclusion of a valve member movable between closed and open positions, and which does or does not form one side wall of a sealing liquid trough accordingly as it is in the one position or the other, the other side wall of the trough being formed by a sta tionary-portion of the off-take conduit. In consequence when said valve member is moved from its closed position into its open position, the trough is opened at one side from top to bottom, and the trough contents, both liquid and nonliquid, are discharged into the collecting main, and no trough space in which non-liquid material can accumulate is maintained during the periods in which the movable valve member is in its open position.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, its advantages and specific objects, reference should be had to the The clogging of the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation in section illustrating a by-product coke oven gas off-take arrangement;

Fig. 2 is a section taken similarly to Fig. 1 showing parts of the construction shown in Fig. 1 in different relative positions; and

Fig. 3 is a View taken similarly to Fig. l illustrating a modification.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. l, A represents the collecting main of a by-product coke oven battery to which each of the coking chambers of the battery may be connected by an 01T- take connection comprising the usual ascension pipe B, and a conduit extension opening laterally from the ascension pipe B, which has an outlet B for the purpose at its upper end, said extension including a portion leading downwardly to and opening into the collecting main. In the particular form of construction shown in Fig. 1, the portion of the oiT-take between the ascension pipe outlet B and the collecting main A, comprises an elbow pipe portion C connected to the ascension pipe B at the margin of its lateral outlet B a part D secured to the underside of the elbow C, a part E telescoping with the lower portion of the part D, and a part F secured to the ascension pipe collecting main A and opening into the latter and connected to and supporting the part E. The form and shape of, and the manner of connecting the different sections of the off-take piping are not material to, and form no part of the present invention, aside from the fact that the ofi-take should include a downwardly extending portion having the internal characteristics of the part D now to be described.

In the preferred form of the part D illustrated, the latter comprises an upper portion, the inner wall of which is of inverted conical form, and an immediately subjacent portion, the inner surface of which forms a cylindrical valve seat D the internal diameter of which may well be a little less than that of the subjacent portion of the member D. The latter, as shown, is of the general form of a truncated section of a hollow cone which at its base is provided with an external surface G. The surface G is within and closely adjacent to the valve seat D when the member G is in its closed position as shown in Fig. 1 but with sufficient clearance between the surfaces D and G may be provided to permit ready turning movement of the member G from its closed position shown in Fig. 1, into its open position shown in Fig. 2, in which the axis of the member G is transverse to the axis of the part D.

The movement of the member G between its open and closed positions is effected by the rotation of the horizontal valve spindle H which extends diametrically across the member D and is journalled in the latter, and to which the valve member G is rigidly secured. The operating arm I is secured to an external portion of the spindle II. Supported by the member C or D and, preferably, and as shown, by the latter through integral connection webs J is a bell member J. In the closed position of the member G, the latter and the depending rim J of the bell J are in telescopic relation, so that the rim J 2 depends into the annular liquid seal trough then formed between the oppositely diverging portions of the members D and G above the valve seat D.

As shown liquid may be sprayed into the downwardly extending portion of the off-take through a spray inlet opening C formed in the upper wall of the elbow section C, by a liquid spray device K mounted on the section C and having a spray outlet at its under side coaxial with the opening C, which advantageously, and as shown, is coaxial with the part D. In the particular construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the spray outlet of the device K is closed in normal operation by a cylindrical part L, except for an annular orifice space between its periphery and the surrounding wall of the outlet K. The part L has a stem extension at its upper side which passes through the top wall of the device K. A spring L acting between the latter and an operating button or handle L at the upper end of the stem normally holds the part L in the elevated position shown. The button L may be depressed from time to time to lower the part L and thus enlarge the outlet from the spray device K for the discharge of coal dust or other accumulated matter tending to obstruct the: spray discharge when the device L is in its normal position.

While the spray outlet cleaning provisions just described are practically desirable, these features form no part of the present invention, but for the purposes of the present invention it is essential that liquid be sprayed down on to the top of the member J and the coaxial relation of the spray pit and valve member G is desirable,

though not essential.

In the normal and intended operation of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a suitable liquid, which ordinarily is the gas liquor collecting in and circulated through the collecting main, is continuously sprayed down onto the member J and against the inner wall of the upper portion of the part D. The liquid so sprayed enters the sealing trough formed by the members D and G when the latter is in its closed position shown in Fig. 1,. and passes from the sealing trough by flowing over the top of the annular member G. When the latter is turned from its closed position shown in Fig. 1 into its open position shown in Fig. 2, the liquid previously held in the sealing trough flows down over and washes the valve seat D, and the latter is continuously subjected to the washing action of the spray liquid so long as the member G occupies its open Fig. 2 position. With the member G in its closed position, the leakage through the joint space between surfaces G and D, relative to the volume of the liquid spray should not be such as to prevent a quick reestablishment of the liquid seal when the member G is returned to its closed Fig. 1 position. With the Volume of spray desirably provided, a considerable leakage between the valve seat D and the surface G may occur without impairment of the liquid seal and is beneficial in that it subjects those surfaces to a washing action. In consequence the surface G and D, and particularly the latter, need not be formed with great accuracy and require no careful machinery. While the valve member G is not subjected to the direct washing action of the liquid when in its open position, it is then out of the main path of gas flow, as a result of the shielding action of the bell J. The gas which then comes in contact with the valve member is relatively cool as a result of the cooling action of the wash liquor.

Advantageously, the discharge end of the conduit section F is so disposed that the wash liquid and condensate formed from the distillation gases is directed toward the surface of the liquid normally flowing throughth'e lower portion of the collecting main, and do not rundown the side walls of the latter." To this end, the member F, shown as entering'the collecting'main at an angle to'the'perpendioular, is provided with a flow deflecting lip F" at its lower side.

- In' the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 3, the ofi-take conduit sections may be formed exactly as they are in Figs. 1 and 2, except for differences resulting from differences in the valve operating provisions employed, and in the location of the washing liquid spray inlet opening C formed in the upper wall of the elbow section CA which replaces the section C of the construction first described. The valve means of Fig. 3 include partsGA and JA generally similar in form to the parts G and J of the construction first described, except that in Fig. 3, the parts JA and GA are connected by an integral web portion'JG. The latter, as shown, forms a cylindrical upper extension of the member GA, and is formed with ports JG for the overflow of the sealing liquid when the valve parts are in their closed positions shown in full lines in Fig. 3. The member J A is connected to the lower end of a coaxial valve operating stem HA which extends upward through a stuffing box C carried by the top wall of the section CA. The spray device KA may be identical with the device K previously described, but as shown, omits the spray orifice cleaning provisions of the latter. The opening C through which the spray enters the section CA is laterally displaced from the stuffing box C and the axis of the spray discharge is therefore preferably inclined to the vertical so as to intersect the top of the member JA at or approximately at the center of the latter. In the open position of the valve parts of Fig. 3 the latter are held in their elevated dotted line positions, being moved between their open and closed positions by vertical movement of the operating stem HA.

In the closed position of the valve parts of Fig. 3, the parts GA, JA and D are operatively arranged and function exactly as do the parts G, J and D of Figs. 1 and 2. When the parts GA and JA are moved to their open position, the seal is broken and the member JA deflects the spray liquid outwardly against the inner wall of the member D as in the construction first described, the slight change in elevation of the member JA not significantly affecting its spray deflecting action.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims and that in some cases certain features of my invention may be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a retort gas off-take, the combination with a downwardly extending conduit section through the upper portion of which wash liquor is continuously sprayed downward, of an annular valve member movable between an open position and a closed position, said member and section being relatively shaped and proportioned to form the opposing side walls of a liquid seal trough when said member is in its closed position,

said trough being adapted to be opened at one side by the movement of said member into its open position, and a bell which in the closed position of said member has its rim portion depending into ner wall shaped to provide a conduit passage which is of smaller cross section at one level than at immediately higher levels, of an annular valve member in the form of a truncated section of a hollow cone and movable between a closed position and an open position and which in its closed position has a lower portion which is within said passage portion of smaller cross section and which is in sufficiently close proximity to the wall of said portion at one level to provide a liquid holding trough space between the portions of said truncated section and member above said level, said trough being adapted to be opened to permit the downward discharge of the trough contents by the movement of said member into its open position, and a bell having its rim dipping into said trough and spaced from the side walls thereof when said member is in its closed position.

3. In a retort gas oif-take, the combination with a downwardly extending conduit section through the upper portion of which wash liquor is continuously sprayed downward and having a conduit passage portion at one level of smaller cross section than the portion above it, of an annular valve member in the form of the truncated section of a hollow cone co-axial with said passage and movable vertically between an open position in which the lower portion of said member is above, and a closed position in which it is within and substantially fills the first mentioned passage portion, a bell member within said conduit section and above and spaced away from said valve member and conduit section at the lower level and movable with the valve member and having its rim depending to a level below the top of said member.

4. In a retort gas off-take, the combination with a downwardly extending conduit section through the upper'portion of which wash liquor is continuously sprayed downward, of an annular valve member mounted in said section to turn about a horizontal axis between open and closed positions and in the latter position having its axis vertically disposed and the margin of its lower portion extending substantially into contact with the surrounding portion of the inner wall of said section, and having its upper portion proportioned relatively to said conduit section to provide a trough space between said conduit section and the upper portion of said member when the latter is in its closed position, and a stationary bell within said conduit section and above said member and having a depending rim portion which is spaced away from the conduit section and the uppermost portion of said member and surrounds said uppermost portion in the closed position of said member.

5. In a retort gas off-take, the combination with vertically disposed conduit section, of an annular valve member mounted in said section for movement between open and closed positions and in the latter position having, its axis vertically disposed and the margin of its lower portion extending substantially into contact with the surrounding portion of the inner wall of said section, and having its upper portion proportioned relatively to said conduit section to pro- 5 valve member is moved into its open position, a

bell within said conduit section and above said member and having a depending rim portion which is spaced away from said section and from the uppermost portion of said member and sur- 40 rounds said uppermost portion in the closed position of said member, and means for discharging a downwardly directed jet of wash liquor into the portion of said off-take above said hell with the axis of said jet substantially coincident with 115 axis of said circular valve member.

6. In a retort gas take-oif, the combination with a downwardly extending conduit section through the upper portion of which wash liquid is continuously sprayed downwardly, of means -2 0 for establishing and disestablishing a liquid sealed barrier against the downflow of gas through said section comprising a pivoted valve member adapted to turn about a horizontal axis between seal forming and breaking positions and having a peripheral edge which in the seal forming position of said member is separated from a surrounding conduit wall portionby an annular joint space adapted to be sealed by wash liquid then accumulating above said joint space, and means cooperating with said member in the seal forming position of the latter to provide a passage separate from the joint space and adapted to be sealed against the passage of gas by the wash liquid accumulating above said joint space to a predetermined level and through which said liquid may overflow to the portion of said section beneath said member and thereby limit the amount of liquid accumulating above said joint space, the movement of said member into its seal breaking position breaking the liquid seals for said joint space and overflow passage and permitting the liquid forming said seals to pass freely into the conduit section portion beneath said member.

JOEL SANFORD POTTER. 

